PARTNERSHIP
for
New York City
PARTNERSHIP FOR NEW YORK CITY
STATE BUDGET PRIORITIES
On April 1, 2015, the New York State 2015–16 budget was passed. The Partnership championed a number of
priorities that were included in the budget, opposed some items that were excluded, and will continue to work
through the legislative session to advance items on our agenda that were not part of the final package.
TAXES
The New York City business tax code has been amended to largely conform to state code, which will provide
a simpler filing and audit process for all corporations and consolidate the “bank tax” under the general corporate
tax regime.
The Partnership opposed a number of tax proposals that, if enacted, would have been detrimental to the business
community or were poor public policy, which were omitted from the budget:
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Marketplace Provider Tax, which would have
made e-commerce platforms responsible for collection of sales taxes.
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A $1.7 billion homeowner tax rebate program
creating a new middle class entitlement.
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New health insurance tax, that would have been
passed to consumers, to help pay for the State’s
health exchanges.
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A new tax on intercompany transactions.
EDUCATION
The budget provides $9.2 billion in aid to NYC schools, a 5.8% increase from the current spending. Reforms
enacted include:
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Authorization for the State Education Department
to intervene by requiring a receiver for failing
schools.
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Expedited process for removal of teachers rated
ineffective for consecutive years, and of those
accused of physical or sexual abuse.
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Redesigned, two-pronged teacher evaluation
system based on student performance and teacher
observations.
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Full scholarships to SUNY and CUNY education
programs for top college graduates who commit
to teach in the state for five years.
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Extension of the trial period before a teacher can
win tenure from three to four years , as well as a
requirement that probationary teachers are rated
at least “effective” for three out of four years in
order to be tenured.
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More rigorous teacher preparation programs.
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Performance-based bonus pay for top teachers.
POST-BUDGET PRIORITIES
Items proposed by the governor and supported by the Partnership that were not included in the budget:
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Renewal of Mayoral Control of New York City
schools.
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Expansion of the authorization to carry out capital
projects using design-build contracting to all state
and city agencies, public authorities and CUNY and
SUNY. Expansion will encourage more efficient and
cost-effective infrastructure development.
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Increase in the state minimum wage.
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Increase in the cap on charter schools.
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Education Investment Tax Credit to support parochial and private school tuition.